[ It's useless to talk in hypotheticals. Aera died-- by his hand-- and whether unintentional or not, Somnus shoulders the blame for not being more careful enough to prevent it, causing not one, but two innocent lives to fall in that throne room. To this day, there is a part of it that questions if her death had been part of the prophecy all along as well (but if, if it had been a mistake, that would be questioning divine authority--)

What an unpleasant feeling. He shouldn't answer, and no one is forcing him to, but Ardyn is touching on something that's visceral in nature to them both, prompting Somnus to answer with more charge in his voice, confronting the matter directly. ]

You want me to acknowledge it? Very well-- yes, brother, I would have.

[ For the very reasons Ardyn suggests, ugly but perfect for the founding of a kingdom. What a miserable union it would have been. ] Is that the answer you seek? You have it, but she is dead. It did not come to pass.